has extensive debater. >> no, governor romney he's a good debater. i'm just okay. >> it is a flurry of unusual compliments, but who's winning the battle to lower expectations? >> i think actually president obama is in part because it's partly true. he's not been a good debater so he has a better argument. >> reporter: but u.s. political science professor cook says the romney campaign has been playing the expectations game both ways. >> coming out the conventions until now. certainly for the romney campaign hasn't been positive and they made the argument, wait until the debates come around. >> reporter: cook says romney has an advantage by simply appearing on stage with a sitting president. and romney could take advantage as the debate makes it to the economy. voters will have their chance to decide with two more presidential debates to follow this month. in san francisco, ken pritchett, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> and you can watch that debate live right here on ktvu channel 2 this wednesday. our coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by a special editio